survive

verb

sur·​vive sər-ˈvīv How to pronounce survive (audio)
survived; surviving

intransitive verb

1
: to remain alive or in existence : live on
2
: to continue to function or prosper

transitive verb

1
: to remain alive after the death of
he is survived by his wife
2
: to continue to exist or live after
survived the earthquake
3
: to continue to function or prosper despite : withstand
they survived many hardships
survivor noun

Examples of survive in a Sentence

I don't see how any creature can survive under those conditions. bacteria that survive in extreme temperatures Only a few written records survive from those times. These ancient practices still survive in some regions. Some of the original bridges survive. Many businesses are struggling to survive in today's economy. Only his son survived him. She survived her husband by only a few years. He survived a political scandal and was elected to the state legislature. The company survived the recession.
Recent Examples on the Web The dance music star survived an overdose — and now plays five-hour stadium shows to devotional audiences. Katie Bain, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2024 Lomax is survived by his wife, Donna, and his children, Lindsey and Brandon, as well as his grandchildren. Dave Clark, The Enquirer, 13 Mar. 2024 Meshal survived after officials from the United States and Jordan demanded that Israel give him the antidote. Cate Brown, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 Then the pathogens can survive and remain infectious on fomites for varying lengths of time, from a few hours in some cases to several months in others depending on variables related to the pathogen, the fomite and their environmental conditions. Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024 Wallinger is survived by his wife Suzie Zamit, his son Louis Wallinger, his daughter Nancy Zamit and two grandchildren. Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 He is survived by siblings Jo Ann, Kevin, James and Eileen, his son Quinn (Antea) and his wife, Ann Marie. Diego Ramos Bechara, Variety, 12 Mar. 2024 He is survived by daughters Cathryn (Bill) Bauer; Elizabeth Claire; Denei (Milt) Pace; stepdaughter Shelley (Raymond) Christensen and many grand and great-grandchildren. Daniel Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024 In addition to his wife, McCourt is survived by daughter Siobhan; sons Malachy Jr., Conor, and Cormac; stepdaughter Nina Galin; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandson. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 11 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'survive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, to outlive, from Anglo-French survivre, from Latin supervivere, from super- + vivere to live — more at quick entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of survive was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near survive

Cite this Entry

“Survive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/survive. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

survive

verb
sur·​vive sər-ˈvīv How to pronounce survive (audio)
survived; surviving
1
: to remain alive : continue to exist
2
: to remain alive after the death of
survived by three children
3
: to continue to exist or live after
survived the flood
survivor noun

Medical Definition

survive

verb
sur·​vive sər-ˈvīv How to pronounce survive (audio)
survived; surviving

intransitive verb

: to remain alive or in existence : live on

transitive verb

1
: to remain alive after the death of
his son survived him
2
: to continue to exist or live after
survived the stroke
survival noun
survivor noun

More from Merriam-Webster on survive

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